This morning, someone in the Year of Miracles group I’m studying with posted a hashtag that hit me: #YANA—You Are Not Alone. And you’re not. Truth is, we never really know how much someone else is struggling. That friend who’s always laughing? Always there for everyone else? The one who seems to have it all together? Sometimes, she’s the one who needs the most support.
Some people never got the emotional education they needed to deal with life’s daily curveballs. Some seek professional help, but most don’t—they just push through, hoping things will get better on their own. But without the right tools, stress, anxiety and depression pile up — along with all the other bodily breakdowns we’ve come to know too well and before long, these curveballs start running the show. And let’s be honest—there are plenty of those these days.
The stressors pile up until they feel like too much, and before you know it, you’re dragging around an invisible anchor that’s all too heavy and that ache on the inside can take its toll.
Platitudes like “Embrace the journey” turn me off when there’s no substance behind it. Yes, life's detours and delays often hold valuable lessons but it feels like a cop-out when the journey is full of bumps, detours, and moments where you just want to throw in the towel. What you need is a roadmap, practical steps, and a dose of real talk to help navigate the tough spots and keep going, not just empty phrases.
There’s an old Yiddish proverb (also attributed to Dolly Parton and others)— “You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails.” It’s so timeless. There are and always will be circumstances beyond our control. Economic downturns, personal setbacks, the life-suck of Social Media or the tectonic shifts in our everyday world and our lives. You can’t always control what’s happening around you, but you can control how you show up and respond. That’s where your power is. Tweaking your mindset enables you to take action or, adjust your sails. That’s how you stop getting knocked off course and start finding a way forward.
Here are three no-fuss strategies to put into action today — allowing you to keep moving forward no matter the winds you face:
1. Reframe the Situation –Instead of seeing the roadblock, see a chance to learn or change direction. But, don’t procrastinate. Right away, ask yourself: What’s this teaching me? or How can I use this to my advantage? A small shift in how you look at things can open up a whole new world of possibilities. When you’re triggered, your brain is primed for learning (so learn!). and sitting on it can lead to spiraling and cementing a negative stress response. Act quickly!
2. Break it Down — When a challenge feels overwhelming, shrink it. Slice it into bite-sized steps. Instead of fixating on the impossible, zero in on what’s doable right now. Small, consistent moves create momentum—and momentum keeps you moving forward. Momentum is everything. If you don’t start small, you might never start at all.
3. Lean on Your People – Stick with the ones who fuel your fire, push you higher, and remind you who the hell you are. Friends, mentors, or a rock-solid crew—surround yourself with voices that lift you, not drain you. The right people don’t just help you through the tough stuff; they make sure you keep rising. When you don’t lean on your people, you’re left to battle doubt, fear, and stress alone. That inner critic gets louder, and without outside perspective, you start believing its lies.
Sometimes, the breakthrough isn’t in the goal—it’s in the way you choose to see it. The thing is, you can change the way you feel by learning to change the way you think. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just disconnected from your joy, remember- you are not alone. #YANA
Joy is still there. It’s hiding. Waiting for you to rediscover what lights you up—what makes you feel alive. It knows you’re in a downhill emotional slide, but Joy is very patient. All you have to do is make the first move—and you can find your way back.
Love,
Ilene